THE JUNKYARD



THE JUNKYARD

by Margaret Houghton

Time: the early 1950's

CHARACTERS:

SAM: an elderly European man.

He has lived in Australia

since before World War 11 and

works as a scrap dealer.

THOMAS: A friend of Sam's

with whom he lives.

FREEMAN: A man whom Sam takes

in.

MICK COLEMAN: next door

neighbor to Sam and Thomas.

MRS COLEMAN: Mick's mother

FADE IN:

FIRE CRACKLING. PEOPLE

RUNNING AND SCREAMING.

MACHINE-GUNFIRE. SILENCE.

EXT. SAM'S LIVING QUARTERS

DAY

A Scrap yard. wooden crates.

scraps of iron and metal.

INT. SLEEPING QUARTERS

DISSOLVE TO:

Sofa. Blankets on the floor,

etc. A small kitchen, very

bare. The feel of poverty.

EXT. SAM'S YARD DUSK

DISSOLVE TO:

There is the smoky smell of

burning off. The smell of

early summer. The sky is

pink.

MICK'S VOICE(COMING

FROM NEXT DOOR)

When are you going

to move that bloody

rubbish?

The yard is stacked with

various kinds of items.

Furniture, rugs, papers,

crockery, clothing.

Sam and Thomas carry in some

rather heavy scrap. A wire

mattress with a wooden base,

which they drop on the

ground.

THOMAS

They don't like us,

do they?

Sam's yard has many large

shady trees the leaves of

which cover the ground so

that there is always a

crunching sound when people

walk on them.

MICK'S VOICE (COMING

FROM NEXT DOOR)

D'ya hear me or are

ya deaf as well as

daft?

SAM

Yes, yes, I hear

you.

MICK'S VOICE

Well bloody well do

somethin' about it

then!

SAM

I can't do anything

this minute.

MICK'S VOICE

Bloody foreigners!

What ya want ta come

'ere for?

Mick is sitting on the ground

by the cyclone fence

separating the two

properties, tired from binge

drinking the night before.

SAM (FLAPPING HIS

HANDS)

Bah!

MICK'S VOICE

Well. if at least

half that junk's not

gone by this Friday,

right? I'm goin' to

the police, that's

what!

SAM

Not a bad load

today,eh, Thomas?

THOMAS

No, not bad. But I

wish he don't sing

out to us like that.

Enough insults in my

life.

MICK'S VOICE

It stinks! Ya all

stink!

Mick sucks on long pieces of

grass.

THOMAS

He drunk again,

Sam.

SAM

Yes, of course he

is. Should be used

to it by now,

Thomas.

THOMAS

Why he so angry?

SAM

Because he drinks.

You know that,

Thomas.

Sound of breaking glass.

THOMAS

He throwing bottles?

SAM

Yes, yes, probably

at the cat!

THOMAS

Sam, here is a man

coming. I think he

comes in here. It's

not Mick.

SAM

I hope not!

Sound of heavy footsteps

crunching on the leaves. Joe

Freeman strides into the

yard. He is tall, fairly well

built, slightly gray and has

a detectable European accent.

He is an outline against the

overcast sky.

FREEMAN

Good God! What's

this? Rubbish

everywhere! What is

this place?

THOMAS(MUMBLING)

A scrap yard

FREEMAN

It's more like a

rubbish tip!

SAM

What do you want?

FREEMAN

What do you do with

this junk?

SAM

We sell it.

FREEMAN

Sell it? Who would

buy any of this

rubbish?

SAM

I ask you, what you

want?

FREEMAN

Who do you sell it

to? It's all good

for nothing.

THOMAS

People buy scrap.

iron and metal.

Thomas runs his hand over a

piece of scrap which glints

when the sun shines on it.

FREEMAN

I don't really

believe you!

SAM

Look, I ask you

what you want, and

if I can't help you,

you go.

FREEMAN (QUIETER)

I'm looking for

something...that's

right.

SAM

Then what is it

you're looking for?

If I can help you I

will.

FREEMAN

I don't think so

(Beat)

Freeman stands staring

awhile.

SAM

(senses Freeman

has a problem)

Do you know why you

came in here.

Freeman is still staring.

SAM(CONTD)

What's your name?

Freeman shakes his head.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HOSPITAL DAY

FLASHBACK

NURSE

What is your name?

(beat)

Do you remember your

name?

(beat)

Try to remember

Freeman is tossing and

turning in the bed as if

trying to get away.

DI0

EXT. SAM'S YARD DUSK

SAM

Would you like to

sit down?

Freeman sits on a box and

puts his head in his hands.

SAM

Would you like a cup

of coffee?

Freeman doesn't answer.

THOMAS

What's wrong with

him?

SAM

I don't know,

Thomas.

(to Freeman)

What's your name?

FREEMAN

You can call me

Freeman...that will

do for now.

SAM

How d'you mean that

will do?

FREEMAN

I mean I don't know,

damn it! Frei -

mann - Freeman in

English. It was the

obvious choice

(half to himself)

I was free...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. A CAMP DAY

FLASHBACK

Images of barbed wire, guards

with bayonets. Men working,

breaking rocks, guards

hitting them.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SAM'S YARD DUSK

FREEMAN(CONTD.)

No guards, no barbed

wire,

(beat)

no torture.

SAM

You haven't been in

jail or anything,

have you? I mean all

this stuff is

valuable to us. We

don't want anyone

stealing it!

FREEMAN

No! I haven't been

in jail, jail!

Jail's a hotel! and

as for stealing this

muck...

SAM

Scrap! And it is

always scrap as long

as it belongs to me!

MICK (Peering over

the fence)

Shut up! You lousy

wogs! Can't get any

bloody peace 'round

'ere

FREEMAN

Who is that?

THOMAS

The man next door.

Always sing out.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. CAMP DAY

FLASHBACK

Guard shouting out and

hitting Freeman across the

head.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SAM'S YARD DAY

SAM

You have some work

(beat)

Freeman?

FREEMAN

No. None.

THOMAS

I go and make us a

coffee.

Thomas goes inside.

SAM

What did you mean,

you were a 'free

man'? Free from

what?

FREEMAN

Free to do what I

want for once in my

life.

SAM

What stopped you

before?

FREEMAN

The war...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. STREET DAy

FLASHBACK

Freeman and others being

arrested and herded into a

paddy waggon.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SAM'S YARD DUSK

SAM

Always the

same...the war and

you say you don't

remember your name?

FREEMAN

No. I have no idea

who I am.

SAM

I don't doubt what

you say.

FREEMAN

I'd rather not talk

about it.

(half to himself)

The wretched

hospital was nearly

as bad as the camp.

MICK (OTHER SIDE OF

FENCE)

For Christ's sake

turn that fuckin'

light out. I'm sure

goin' to the police

in the mornin'. I

can't bloody well

stand anymore of

this! Bloody yids!

Freeman makes one rush at the

rusty cyclone fence and

hoists himself up.

MICK

Who the hell are

you? No, don't tell

me, not another one!

Junk. He sure

collects junk only

this time it's human

junk, I think.

FREEMAN

You bloody idiot!

What would you know?

You rotten scum!

MICK

They should of got

rid of you lot ages

ago! It's a pity the

Krauts didn't finish

the job proper!

FREEMAN

If I come over this

fence...

MICK

You come over here

and you're a dead

man. I'll knock ya

block off!

FREEMAN

Knock my block off?

That's been tried

dozens of times and

it's still on my

shoulders.

MICK

Yer? More's the

pity! Now if I'd

been in the war...A

guard in one of

those places you go

on about...I could

have thought of

plenty more ways to

get rid of the

vermin!

Freeman attempts to climb

over the fence. He's

breathing heavily.

SAM

Freeman! Come back

here!

FREEMAN

No, I have work to

do!

SAM

No! No! We don't

want to make

trouble. Come on, we

don't take any

notice of him.

Please come back.

Freeman climbs down.

MICK

Can't stand up fa

yaself! Ha! Mad Sam!

That's what people

call 'im Mad Sam!

SAM

That's better. He's

not worth the

bother.

Freeman sits on a box and

begins crying.

SAM

Just take it easy

now. After a sleep

you'll be right in

the morning.

FREEMAN

Where's your

friend?

SAM

I told him to go to

bed and forget the

coffee.He got a bit

scared when you were

arguing but he'll be

all right.

FREEMAN

I should go now.

Wasted enough time

already.

SAM

You waste time? What

about me? We work,

work, work, Finding

and carrying heavy

things... some

neighbors think we

do nothing.

FREEMAN

I meant I waste your

time. I forget

sometimes what I

want to say.

SAM

Where're you going

now?

FREEMAN

It's not your worry.

I'll find

somewhere.

SAM

Would you like to

stay here?

FREEMAN

Here?

SAM

You don't think it's

good enough?

FREEMAN

Of course it is, but

I should go.

SAM

Where d'you live?

FREEMAN

Live? I live now, I

live anywhere I can

be free.

Freeman looks blank for a

moment.

SAM

Look we have a

couple of mattresses

in the shed. We can

get one out and you

can stay here. Come

on.

Freeman is still staring.

SAM(CONTD)

Come along now.

FREEMAN

Eh? Where is this?

SAM

Never mind, you come

and help me get the

mattress.

Freeman follows Sam.

EXT. SAM'S YARD NEAR DARK

Mrs Coleman pulls up in a car

outside Sam's yard. She sits

awhile and looks at it and

shakes her head. She gets

out. She's dressed in red

with black patent leather

high heeled shoes and bag to

match. She's very cautious

where she treads.

MRS COLEMAN

Sam! Sam!

SAM

What is it, Mrs

Coleman?

MRS COLEMAN

Where's Mick?

SAM

He's certainly not

in here. He said he

was going to the

police. Perhaps

that's where he is.

MRS COLEMAN

It's too late in the

day for that, you

silly man!

SAM

If he didn't drink

so much he'd be

better.

MRS COLEMAN

Yes, well living

next door to you

doesn't help. Anyone

might take to the

drink!

Mrs Coleman gets out of the

car and goes into Mick's

place.

EXT. MICK'S FRONT YARD

NIGHT

Mick's yard is run down,

dilapidated and covered with

weeds. Mick is sitting on the

front verandah with a bottle

of beer.

MICK

Mum! What you doin'

'ere?

MRS COLEMAN

I'm seeing the agent

tomorrow. I rang you

but there was no

answer.

MICK

Thank God you're

gettin' onto it at

last.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SAM'S YARD NIGHT

FREEMAN

Who's that woman?

SAM

The man next door's

mother - she's as

bad as he is. I

think she encourages

him.

Sam and Freeman enter an old

and come out carrying a

mattress.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SAM'S HOUSE LATER THAT

NIGHT

All is quite. Sam, Thomas and

Freeman are asleep in the

same room on mattresses on

the floor.

Freeman is tossing and

turning.

DISSOLVE TO

INT. HOSPITAL NIGHT

FLASHBACK

FREEMAN

Ruth!...Ruth! It's

Joe.

(he sits up)

Your painting...I

slashed it!

MATRON

Come along...

FREEMAN

Not the quiet room?

No! No!...not in

there, remember too

much...

(he falls back

putting his

hands over his

face)

Bloody bitch!

(Sits up

(beat)

That matron!

(beat)

Leave me alone!

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SAM'S HOUSE NIGHT

THOMAS

What the matter with

him?

SAM

It seems he's having

a nightmare. I think

he's gone back to

sleep.

A very faint light appears in

the corner of the room.

FREEMAN

Ruth? It's Joe. Your

painting...I'm

sorry. It was all

you had left. We

friends? I see you,

Ruth...through the

wire...I see you

working like a

man...Where you get

the strength, eh?

(louder)

Bastards!

DISSOLVE TO:

FLASHBACK

Ruth digging with a shovel

with some other women. A

female guard comes and swipes

her and pushes her knocking

her off balance so that she

nearly falls into the hole.

GUARD

Ha! You fall into

your own grave.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SAM'S HOUSE NIGHT

The small light goes out.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE CAMP DAY

FLASHBACK

Joe watches Ruth carrying a

heavy load. She's nearly

falling. A woman guard gives

her a push. She falls and the

woman gives her a kick, pulls

her to her feet, smacks her

across the face.

GUARD

Get on with your

work, swine!

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

ROOM DAY

FLASHBACK

Ruth is painting at an easel.

FREEMAN

What the hell's

that?

RUTH

It's called

'Freedom'.

FREEMAN

Freedom be buggared!

What the hell would

you or anyone here

know about freedom?

RUTH

Why don't you try

doing something, you

might feel better?

FREEMAN

Bloody hell! I just

want to get away

from this place!

Freeman picks up a sharp

edged painting knife and

slashes Ruth's painting. Two

orderlies lurch forward and

grab him.

FREEMAN

Let go of me, you

bastards!

RUTH

Let go of him! Don't

you think he's had

enough of that

treatment for the

last four years?

ORDERLEY 1

Sorry, sweetheart,

the Doc's not goin'

to be too pleased

with what he's done

to your work!

RUTH

To hell with the

doctor! Let go of

him at once! Ruth

picks up a bottle of

turpentine and

throws it at the

orderly.

ORDERLY 1

Oh! My eyes! You

little bitch!

The orderly is about to grab

Ruth when the Matron enters.

MATRON

What's going on in

here? What happened

to that painting?

Take Him to the

quiet room at once..

FREEMAN

No! No!

DISSOLVE TO:

INT.SAM'S AND THOMAS'

SLEEPING QUARTERS NIGHT

THOMAS

I think he dream

again.

SAM

I wonder what

happened to Ruth.

THOMAS

I think he starts

again.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT THE HOSPITAl DAY

FLASHBACK

The orderlies seize Freeman,

who struggles violently. He

breaks free and runs down a

corridor.

ORDERLY 1

Let him go, silly

bastard. You'd

better let the doc

see your eye. That

little bitch should

be punished too.

ORDERLY 2

Oh, they're all a

bit troppo after

their experiences!

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SAM'S SLEEPING QUARTERS

NIGHT

Freeman is sitting up.

SAM

That was a bad one.

THOMAS

Did they lock you

up?

FREEMAN

No. I couldn't have

stood it. I had

survived that far,

God knows.

SAM

So you ran away from

the hospital?

FREEMAN

Yes. I don't think

they ever looked for

me.

THOMAS

What happen to Ruth?

FREEMAN

I never saw her

again.

THOMAS

She dead?

FREEMAN

I don't know, but

I'd do anything to

see her again. Only

when I sleep she

comes to me.

SAM

You said 'It's Joe'.

FREEMAN

Did I?

Sudden sound of a thud, then

another, then the sound of

breaking glass.

THOMAS

Ah! The bottles!

Sam gets up and goes to the

door, then returns.

SAM

You're right. He's

throwing his empties

over the fence.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MICK'S BACKYARD EARLY

MORNING

Mick is sitting by the

cyclone fence still swigging

from a bottle of beer.

MICK

Shut up! You bloody

bastards! I can't

get any sleep around

here! If you don't

fuckin well shut up,

the police will be

here very soon - and

the council. Me

Ma'll see to that!

EXT. THE STREET EARLY

MORNING

Mrs Coleman is sitting

outside Mick's house in her

car. Mick is in his weed

covered garden, drunk and

barely able to stand. Mrs

Coleman is speaking to him

from the car window.

MRS COLEMAN

Mick! You come home

with me immediately!

MICK

Go away, Mum. No,

I'm not comin' with

ya.

MRS COLEMAN

Keep your voice

down, or I won't do

what you want!

MICK

OK I'll be quiet

then.

MRS COLEMAN

And don't talk to

that lot next door!

MICK

Yes, yes I'll leave

the wogs alone. I'm

goin' inside. God ya

can't do nothin'

even in ya own

house! It's all the

bloody wogs fault.

MRS COLEMAN

Mitchell!

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SAM'S HOUSE MORNING

FREEMAN

Now what's

happening?

THOMAS

Sometime his mother

stay there with him.

FREEMAN

Sleep, let's sleep.

THOMAS

You might see Ruth.

SAM

Sleep! It's time to

get up.

EXT. SAM'S YARD LATE

AFTERNOON

Thomas and Freeman enter the

yard each carrying a brass

bed-end.

FREEMAN

Give me that bed-

end, Thomas!

THOMAS

Why?

FREEMAN

Because it's mine!

THOMAS

No it's not. I find

this end.

FREEMAN

The two ends make a

bed. I found the

head end first so

it's mine.

THOMAS

I find the bottom

end and it's scrap!

FREEMAN

(shouting)

One end is no good

without the other!

THOMAS

It is to me!

Freeman makes a grab at it.

Sam comes out of the front

door.

SAM

What's all the

shouting for?

FREEMAN

(still grabbing)

It's mine!

THOMAS

It's brass and I

sell it.

SAM

What you arguing

about?

FREEMAN

(ignoring Sam)

Not this time. It's

too good for

rubbish. I found

this and it's

certainly not junk

or scrap and I will

have it.

Freeman makes another grab.

Both men fall down. Thomas

lies still.

SAM

(laughing)

It serves you both

right. Just like

children you are.

Freeman is also lying

still.Suddenly he moves.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. A FORREST DAY

FLASHBACK

It's dark because of the

dense trees.

FREEMAN

(Crawling over

to another man)

Jacob! We got to get

away from here.

Freeman and Jacob are dressed

in striped blue and grey

shirts and trousers,

resembling pyjamas

He pulls at Jacob's collar.

JACOB

Mm

FREEMAN

If they catch us

it's the end...I

die. Please come

with me. You are the

only one who knows

about me.

Believing that Jacob is dead,

Freeman takes a gold

medallion from around Jacob's

neck and puts it on himself.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SAM'S YARD DAY

THOMAS

What are you doing?

What are you talking

about?

Freeman sits up and looks

around him.

FREEMAN

Who am I? Where am

I? How did I get

here?

Thomas gets up and puts his

hand on Freeman's shoulder.

FREEMAN(CONTD)

Leave me alone! Keep

your bloody bed-

end.I'll find one

myself and I'll sell

it in one piece.

Freeman goes inside angrily.

THOMAS

I don't understand

him, Sam.

SAM

Naturally he's a bit

hard to understand.

(beat)

Maybe he's not used

to working with

other people.

(beat)

Thomas, you were in

a concentration

camp.

THOMAS

Oh, yes. I don't

like to remember it.

SAM

You still have the

number on your arm?

THOMAS

Yes, Sam.

SAM

Freeman doesn't have

a number.

THOMAS

No? I never look.

Too many bad

memories...

SAM

There's something I

can't make out about

him.

THOMAS

I think he want to

sell things. Not

just

scrap...furniture.He

not very interested

in finding scrap. He

so impatient some

dealers tell him 'go

away' and not come

back.

`

INT. AUCTION ROOMS DAY

There is quite a crowd,

mostly dealers, besides

ordinary buyers. The lot is a

bedroom suite.

AUCTIONEER

Lot number 7, the

bedroom suite.Do I

hear 20 dollars,

yes? 25? Yes? 30?

Anymore? Mr Freeman

you Bid $30.00?

FREEMAN

I didn't bloody well

bid at all!

AUCTIONEER

You raised your

hand.

FREEMAN

Shit! I did no such

thing. I don't want

ya fuckin bedroom

suite!

AUCTIONEER

You bid, sir!

FREEMAN

I bloody didn't bid!

AUCTIONEER

Freeman, I think

you'd better leave.

FREEMAN

With pleasure. Who'd

buy that muck for

$30.00 anyway?

AUCTIONEER

You needn't bother

returning, either.

FREEMAN

Come on, Thomas.

Don't worry we

wouldn't dream of

returning! To hell

With you and your

lousy furniture!

DISSOLVE TO

EXT. SAM'S YARD DAY

Freeman comes out, still a

bit disturbed.

FREEMAN

Thomas...I'm sorry.

THOMAS

No worry.

FREEMAN

No. You found the

bed end first.

THOMAS

So you find one end,

I find one. No worry

SAM

Ah! The bed! The

bed! We have more to

talk about than the

bed.

(beat)

Who was Jacob?

FREEMAN

What?

SAM

While you were

dreaming you called

Thomas Jacob?

FREEMAN

(anxious)

Did I?

SAM

Yes. When you both

fell down you --

FREEMAN

(beat)

He was just someone

I knew.

THOMAS

You run away

together?

FREEMAN

(uneasy)

I said that too?

SAM

You wanted him to go

with you. What

happened to him?

FREEMAN

In the forrest there

were bodies hanging

from trees. It was

like a valley of

bones.

SAM

You said he was the

only one who knew

about you?

FREEMAN

(angry)

Secret? I don't know

what you're talking

about.

THOMAS

Yes, you say that,

Freeman.

FREEMAN

(more angry)

No! You must have

heard wrong! Shut

up, will you? You

don't bloody know

what you're talking

about, either of

you!

SAM

Sorry to ask more

questions, but how

did you get here, to

this country?

FREEMAN

Christ! Does it

matter now?

SAM

No. Not so much.

FREEMAN

If you must know, I

blacked out. I woke

up in a hospital.

There was an

American soldier

there named

Gordon...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE HOSPITAL DAY

FLASHBACK

GORDON

Hi, there, buddy.

How ya goin?

FREEMAN

Don't even know

where I am.

GORDON

I'd say you're in

Poland, man.

FREEMAN

No! Not still in

this foul place!

I'll be killed!

GORDON

Say, the bang bang

war's all over now,

thank God. You look

as if you've Been

through the wringer!

FREEMAN

I must get away from

here!

GORDON

We're going back to

the States, we could

drop you off where

ya wanna go.

FREEMAN

That'd be a Godsend.

When are you

leaving?

GORDON

Tonight.

FREEMAN

How will I get out?

GORDON

Can ya walk?

FREEMAN

Yes.

GORDON

When it's all quiet

we'll come for Ya,

right?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE SHIP IN DOCK. DAY

FLASHBACK

GORDON

I guess this is it,

then. Will ya be OK?

Freeman makes his way down

the gangplank waving back.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SAM'S YARD DAY

FREEMAN

They got me on

board. No one knew.

I wasn't that sick,

just a bit under

weight.

SAM

No one knew you came

here? You came here

illegally then?

FREEMAN

So what? I'd

survived that far.

What was I to do,

stay there and be

caught and killed?

SAM

What country did you

come from?

FREEMAN

Why all these bloody

questions?

SAM

I also came here

without a passport.

I had to come

hurriedly, I knew

what was coming. The

authorities here

found out and I

spent some time in

jail.

FREEMAN

Are you going to

tell the authorities

about me, then?

SAM

(shakes his head)

Were you in Germany?

FREEMAN

Poland...

SAM

Did they catch you?

FREEMAN

Yes. But I

escaped...with

Jacob. They shot

Jacob. I laid low,

then I changed my

clothes for his.He

wore a gold

medallion around his

neck.

SAM

I'm sorry, Freeman,

but there are some

things that are

still puzzling me.

FREEMAN:

Stretching out both

his arms. Like

this?

SAM

I wondered about

that, yes.

FREEMAN

They caught up with

me again. I was

wearing Jacob's gold

icon....I wasn't who

I really was, I was

someone else and no

one knew.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. A FORREST DAY

FLASHBACK

Freeman is running through

the forrest. Suddenly he is

pushed to the ground, pulled

to his feet and marched away

by two guards and pushed into

a van. There are also others

in the van. It stops and the

people are pulled out and

marched into a camp. Freeman

and two others are told to

stand on the right. The other

six are stood on the left.

Freeman tries to stand with

the six. He is rifle butted

and pushed back to the other

side. The six are machine

gunned. A guard takes Freeman

to a shed where he makes him

strip. The guard mauls him

and caresses the icon working

his way down Freeman's body.

Freeman is uncooperative and

the guard digs a gun into his

side.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SAM'S HOUSE EARLY

MORNING

FREEMAN

They didn't kill

me... I was allowed

to live...all

because of a small

gold icon... I'm

alive

(beat)

But in a way it was

a death.

SAM

I'm sorry

A FEW HOURS LATER

THOMAS

Sam, Freeman's gone.

SAM

Has he? Well, we'd

better get going

very soon.

THOMAS

Sales on, Sam?

SAM

Quite a few.

THOMAS

I bring the truck

around?

Thomas gets up and goes

outside and soon returns.

THOMAS

Sam, there's no

truck!

SAM

You mean he's taken

our truck?

EXT. SAM'S YARD SAME MORNING

Sam and Thomas go out to

find Mick in the yard

throwing bottles around and

smashing some of the

furniture.

SAM

What d'you think

you're doing?

MICK

What's it fuckin

look like. Gettin'

rid of this putrid

muck!

He hurls a bottle at a

mirror.

SAM

I'm calling the

police at once!

MICK

Ya not even on the

phone, ya wog!

Sam leaves, making his way to

the telephone booth in the

street.

Thomas creeps out from behind

a shed. Mick turns around and

grabs him by the collar.

THOMAS

No! Please, help me,

Sam!

MICK

(Slowly and menacingly)

Sam's not here...

THOMAS

Please let me go...

MICK

Oh, no, I couldn't

do that...Now,

Thomas, my little

wog, you're all

alone with me.

He has Thomas around the neck

MICK(CONTD)

Just a little harder

and snap!

THOMAS

No! Please stop. I

done nothing to you.

MICK

Ah! But you have!

THOMAS

Ouch! What I do?

MICK

You come here to my

country! You bloody

wog!

THOMAS

Ouch!

MICK

Yid! Worm!

(slowly, creepily)

You're sub-

human...not even a

person...that's what

they said, didn't

they?

THOMAS

I...don't...

(nearly choking)

know...

Mick has Thomas firmly in his

grasp. He picks up a stone

and bashes it against Thomas'

forehead. Thomas cries out

and goes limp.

Freeman comes through the

gate pushing a treadle sewing

machine.

FREEMAN (VO)

Ah! This could bring

a good price when

Thomas fixes it up.

He sees Thomas lying on the

ground

FREEMAN(CONTD.)

Good God! Who did

this? Sam! Sam!

Thomas has a large gash on

his forehead.

Sound of a police car. Sam

returns.

SAM

What's happened?

Thomas, are you

alright? My God!

Did Mick do this?

FREEMAN

Who else? He's out

cold.

SAM

Thomas? Can you hear

me? That's a nasty

cut on your

forehead.

THOMAS

(Thomas groans

and opens his

eyes)

No! No more.

please... H- He d-

did next door.

SAM

We must get him

inside. I'll kill

that swine if I get

my hands on him!

INT. SAM'S HOUSE DAY

Sam and Freeman help Thomas

inside.

EXT. SAM'S YARD DAY

Freeman returns to the sewing

machine

MICK'S VOICE

I ain't comin'

nowhere! Take your

bloody hands off me!

... Yes, a course I

done it, and so

would you if ya had

to live next to that

filthy, garbage! I

should be the one

gettin' the

police...take ya

fuckin' hands off

me, will ya! What ya

doin' Oh, no, I'm

not havin' any

handcuffs on me!

FREEMAN

(Running over to

the fence)

You can take that

bloody mongrel away

and lock him up for

life. He's scum, if

ever I saw it!

SAM

Freeman! Come away

from that fence.

Hasn't enough damage

been done already?

INT. SAM'S HOUSE DAY

FREEMAN

How's Thomas?

SAM

He'll be alright.

He's lying down.

Where did you buy

that sewing machine

from?

FREEMAN

I bid for it.

SAM

How much did you pay

for it?

FREEMAN

Two pounds.

SAM

Does it work?

FREEMAN

It will when Thomas

fixes it.

MICK'S VOICE

(Coming from

outside)

I'll be tellin' me

Ma about this police

business. We're

goin' to get those

bloody foreigners

next door removed

once and for all.

And would ya mind

removing these

bloody handcuffs?

Wish I'd killed that

old imbecile!

Sound of police car driving

away.

Mick can be seen sitting in

the back.

Thomas comes out of his room,

His head is bandaged

THOMAS

Ah! A sewing

machine.I remember

now, my mother had

one. Does it go?

FREEMAN

I don't know yet.

If you could fix it

up to work, we'll

sell it and go

halves in the

money.

Thomas begins tinkering with

the machine. He takes a piece

of rag and begins sewing

FREEMAN

It goes, now we can

be in business!

Freeman goes out of the room

in great excitement.

EXT. SAM'S YARD NEXT DAY

Sam and Thomas are carrying

some heavy boards through the

gate. It's raining rather

heavily.

SAM

This doesn't get any

easier. Each time it

seems a bit heavier.

THOMAS

It is for me too,

much harder. The

lumbago in my back

start to hurt.

Sam goes to dig around in his

small vegetable patch.

Mrs Coleman comes sweeping

through the gates in a red

coat and hat to match.

MRS COLEMAN

Well, here you are,

working in all the

filth and junk as

usual!

SAM

What is it now?

MRS COLEMAN

(Stamping her

foot)

How dare you get the

police to my son!

Look at you, filthy!

SAM

And how dare he come

in here and break up

our scrap! And hurt

Thomas like he did!

I'd rather be filthy

than a drunken thug!

MRS COLEMAN

Ha! It's a pity he

didn't finish him

off once and for

all!

SAM

You get off my

property this

minute!

MRS COLEMAN

Your property! We'll

soon see about that!

It won't be here for

very much longer!

SAM

You've been saying

that rubbish for

years.

MRS COLEMAN

Yes, well this time

it's for real,

you'll see!

SAM

(shouting)

Get out!

MRS COLEMAN

I'll be back! And

just you remember,

no more police!

EXT. SAM'S YARD SOME HOURS

LATER

Freeman jumps down from the

truck and hurries through the

gate in seemingly high

spirits. Thomas is sorting

out some scrap iron

FREEMAN

Where is everyone?

Hello!

Thomas wipes his hands with a

rag.

FREEMAN(CONTD)

I said I'd find a

bed in one piece and

I did...And I sold

it! I knew where the

bed was and I went

back for it... They

kept it for me.

SAM

What's all the fuss

about?

FREEMAN

My first sale!

Here's something to

celebrate with.

Freeman produces a bottle of

wine from inside his coat

THOMAS

Wine? I don't know

if I can drink wine.

FREEMAN

You're going to

drink this wine!

SAM

So you took my truck

to go and pick up

the bed?

FREEMAN

I wanted it to be a

surprise...I didn't

mean to steal your

truck. Damn it! One

day I'll have a

truck of my own. For

once in my life I'll

have to answer to no

one!

Freeman goes inside and

returns with three enamel

mugs, into which he pours the

wine. He hands one mug to Sam

and one to Thomas.

FREEMAN(CONTD)

Well, here's

cheers...even if I

did steal the truck!

SAM

I never said you

stole the truck. But

next time ask me

first, eh? I might

want to use it.

Freeman puts down his mug

without finishing the wine.

He's about to leave.

SAM

You get cross for

nothing. Let us

drink to the bed,

then.

SAM AND THOMAS

TOGETHER

The bed!

Freeman doesn't say anything

THOMAS

Where you sell the

bed?

FREEMAN

To another dealer.

That's business!

THOMAS

You make some money

with it?

FREEMAN

Two pounds!

THOMAS

You were lucky.

FREEMAN

I knew what I was

doing. We could have

got a lot for those

two brass bed-ends

together.

THOMAS

They are still here

somewhere.

SAM

One is here. I sold

the other one this

morning.

FREEMAN

What? You old fool!

Make money! You're

just wasting it,

that's all!

SAM

Don't you talk to me

like that! This is

my scrap yard and I

sell what I want!

MICK'S VOICE

Mad Sam! I told ya.

Ha, ha,ha!

SAM

You keep your voice

to yourself!

MICK'S VOICE

I'll have the whole

neighborhood to

meself soon.

FREEMAN

I've had this place!

SAM

I never told you or

Thomas, but one time

there was a fire

here.

FREEMAN

What?

SAM

It was before Thomas

came, the house I

have here caught

fire.

FREEMAN

No! A fire! It

couldn't be!

Freeman stands staring

SAM

The scrap I have

does'nt burn. The

metal, iron, even

tin. I built this

shack from the

pieces I had left.

FREEMAN

Leave me alone, for

God's sake!

(VO)

Fire...

Freeman suddenly delves into

his pocket and takes out a

box of matches

SAM

Where did you get

those?

FREEMAN

You have them to

light your old

stove, don't you?

This place would

burn away in two

minutes.

Freeman strikes a match and

holds it above himself,

laughing.

FREEMAN(CONTD)

You think you can

fight another fire,

yes?

SAM

I fight you, that's

what.

Freeman strikes another match

and holds it above Sam's

head.

FREEMAN

If I was to drop

this match here...

Freeman moves towards some

old rags and cardboard boxes.

FREEMAN(CONTD)

or here...

SAM

You're wicked! Stop

it!

Sam tries to grab the

matches. Freeman stumbles.

The match box and the lighted

match fall.

FREEMAN

No! No! No!

SAM

So now you try and

start a real fire!

The lighted match doesn't

catch anything and Sam grabs

the match box. Freeman

recoils nervously, drops to

his knees and puts his head

in his hands.

THOMAS

He gone mad, Sam?

SAM

He's always mad! If

he does these things

in my scrap yard, he

must go.

(To Freeman)

You hear?

Freeman nods

SAM

Come on, Thomas. We

leave him now.

Sam and Thomas go inside.

DISSOLVE TO:

FREEMAN(VO)

I'll show them.

He gets up and goes to the

truck from which he takes a

trolley which he pushes in

with a table on it.

EXT. SAM'S YARD NEXT DAY

There's an odd assortment of

furniture in the yard.

Freeman is looking it over.

FREEMAN

(VO)

Not a junkyard

anymore. The first

time I ever had a

chance to work for

myself

(BEAT)

not for someone

else...or as a

slave. God knows

what Sam will say to

this lot! All

mine...how long

since I owned

anything?

Sam comes out of the house

with some washing.

SAM

You been buying more

furniture?

FREEMAN

That's right.

SAM

Like you been doing

for the past few

weeks?

FREEMAN

It's my work now,

the best I can do

for the time being.

SAM

Thomas is working

very hard now.

FREEMAN

I think the work

does him good. He's

not so shaky

anymore.

SAM

I don't think people

recover from bad

experiences so

easily.

FREEMAN

You're so sure? I'm

alright now, and I

was sick once too.

SAM

But you still

remember nothing

about who you are.

FREEMAN

That's true. But I'm

used to my

nightmares! Even

they are getting

less and less. I

only wish I had

somewhere to store

my stuff.

SAM

There's not enough

room here for scrap

and furniture as

well.

FREEMAN

I know that. Anyway,

it looks like rain.

That old sheet

doesn't do much good

when I have to cover

this lot up.

Freeman goes inside to get

the sheet. Thomas appears

from around the shed.

THOMAS

I hear you talking,

Sam.

SAM

I talk to myself. It

helps me to

understand some

things better.

THOMAS

Freeman say he wants

to find a shop where

he can sell his

furniture.He say he

wants me to work

with him.

SAM

And what d'you say?

THOMAS

I not sure, but I

know what he's like.

I feel safe with

you, Sam, I know you

so long.

EXT. SAM'S YARD A FEW DAYS

LATER

Freeman and Thomas are in the

yard.

FREEMAN

Well, I found it,

Thomas.

INT. LARGE EMPTY SHOP DAY

There is a tune playing.

"I CAN DO WHAT I LIKE

I CAN BUY WHAT I WANT

I CAN SELL AS I LIKE

IT'S A REALLY GOOD LIFE

I'M A FREE MAN NOW"

Freeman is talking to a man,

They put the 'SALE' sign

outside. People are carrying

pieces of furniture into the

shop.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SAM'S YARD DAY

THOMAS

What did you find?

FREEMAN

A premisis.

THOMAS

Where?

FREEMAN

It's not far from

here. Only a small

place but good

enough for a start.

Come and work with

me, Thomas?

THOMAS

What about Sam?

FREEMAN

He's managed here

for a long time now.

If the work gets too

much for him, we

could take him in

too.

THOMAS

Is there enough room

for us all to sleep?

FREEMAN

There's enough room

out the back.

Anyway, I don't

think Sam would care

where he slept any

more than we do.

THOMAS

How you find this

shop?

FREEMAN

It was...for sale.

THOMAS

There was a sign to

say this?

FREEMAN

Er...yes.

THOMAS

Then you go in and

ask for it?

FREEMAN

Yes.

THOMAS

What about the

money? You got

enough money to buy

a shop?

FREEMAN

I nearly have.

Anyway the shop was

really for lease...I

wouldn't actually

own it.

THOMAS

What you mean, you

just say you bought

it?

FREEMAN

I meant it was for

lease.

THOMAS

So if we don't like

it, we can move back

here?

FREEMAN

If you like.So

you'll come and work

with me then?

THOMAS

I talk to Sam first.

FREEMAN

I thought so! Please

yourself! Talk to

Sam all you want,

but I'm going!

FREEMAN

Sam comes out with some

towels.

SAM

Are you two arguing?

THOMAS

He find a premises

to sell furniture,

Sam.

SAM

Yes?

FREEMAN

Yes.

SAM

Good for you, if

that's what you

want! Are you going

too, Thomas?

THOMAS

I don't know.

FREEMAN

We could all go

together?

SAM

I don't leave here!

FREEMAN

I didn't think so.

Just Thomas and me.

SAM

It's whatever you

think.

THOMAS

You ever sell

before,Freeman?

FREEMAN

I had no trouble

selling the bed or

the sewing

machine...But before

that...I don't know,

damn it!

SAM

When d'you move into

this shop?

FREEMAN

Tomorrow.

THOMAS

Tomorrow?

SAM

You can try it,

Thomas. Remember our

talk? You're free,

both of you.

FREEMAN

Free! That's

funny!My own

business! What's

that sound? No! No!

No! It can't be!

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. A STREET NIGHT

FLASHBACK

There is a small flicker of

light

FREEMAN

Ruth? Ruth? Is

that you? Ruth?

Mama?

Darkness. Screaming Fire

Engine screeching More

screaming and gunfire

DISSOLVE TO:

SAM'S HOUSE SAME NIGHT

THOMAS

Where is he?

SAM

I don't think he

came inside. I'll go

and see.

Sam goes to the back door and

calls.

SAM(CONTD)

I smell a lot of

smoke. There's a

fire, not far away

from here.

MICK'S VOICE

Put that bloody fire

out and shut up! I

can smell ya greasy

cooking!

THOMAS

Can you see him,

Sam?

SAM

No. Nowhere.

MICK'S VOICE

Stop that bloody

racket!

SAM

The truck's still

here.

MICK'S VOICE

I'd like to put some

nails in the bloody

tyres of that truck!

Ha! Ha! Ha!

THOMAS

Look!

Freeman appears with his face

blackened He is shaking, half

crying

THOMAS(CONTD)

What happen?

Freeman shakes his head.

SAM

Did you go out to

see the shop?

FREEMAN

Everything's gone!

SAM

What's gone?

FREEMAN

My home! My family!

My mother! All

killed!

SAM

Where you been just

now?

FREEMAN

I been there. Our

houses, they burn

them! Soldiers

shooting

(beat)

people as they run I

ran too. They caught

me! Beat me! But I

was young...strong

enough to work! But

I survived... They

would break me! Kick

me!

(BEAT)

I get away but they

follow me! That

hospital...Ruth. It

was a trick! They

even follow me here!

Keep away from me! I

should have been

gassed! But no! A

man Josef Sorrel...

they're after him!

SAM

How d'you mean? Why,

who follows you?

FREEMAN

My shop! Tonight

they burn it down.

Soon they will come

for me again. That's

the way it

happened...I

remember. The

cabinet maker I

worked for

(BEAT)

he escaped thank

God! You want to

know why?

SAM

Yes.

FREEMAN

Because he knew he

couldn't trust me!

SAM

Why?

FREEMAN

I was

afraid...terrified...I'm

sorry! So sorry!

SAM

Josef?

FREEMAN

Yes?

SAM

You remember who you

are?

FREEMAN

Yes.

SAM

But why are you

scared now? What

did you do?

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. A BUILDING NIGHT

FLASHBACK

Music is playing softly in

the background.

Josef Sorrel is smoking a

cigarette on the steps of the

building. A man approaches

him. Josef points in a

certain direction. The man

passes Josef some money.

A man is being arrested,

pulled out of a shop, beaten

with truncheons. Josef is

watching from a street corner

opposite. He walks away, his

head down.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SAM'S HOUSE NIGHT

FREEMAN

I was scared. I

told...where the

cabinate maker was.

I needed some money.

I believed they

wouldn't take me if

I told them but they

did!

THOMAS

You tell? You tell

where people are?

You sell them out?

For money!

Freeman nods

FREEMAN

I forgot. I didn't

want to remember!

Now I do remember!

Thomas backs away from

Freeman. Sam puts his hand on

Thomas' shoulder.

THOMAS

He go, Sam! He go...

or I kill him! You

go now!

SAM

Thomas, they took

him, just like they

took you!

THOMAS

Why they not kill

him then? Eh? Why?

SAM

They didn't kill you

either.

THOMAS

You mean I don't

die! People hide

others! Risk their

own lives! He tell!

Try to save himself!

MURDERER! No

different!

EXT. MICK'S YARD NIGHT

MICK'S VOICE

Mick is sitting by the fence

drinking beer from a bottle

and smoking

(DRUNK)

If I'd been there

I'd 'ave killed the

lot of ya!

EXT. SAM'S YARD NIGHT

FREEMAN

It's true. I deserve

to die!

Thomas rushes inside then

stands at the door.

FREEMAN(CONTD)

Go ahead, Thomas.

Sam turns quickly to see

Thomas pointing a rifle.

SAM

No! I say no more

killing! We never

had a gun here

before!

THOMAS

He say this gun sell

for lots of money.

We buy it at an

auction. Now it does

its work for all

those that die!

Thomas takes aim at Freeman.

SAM

No, Thomas! You

murder just like

they did! You call

him murderer. If you

shoot him what's the

difference between

you and him?

THOMAS

Lots of murderers

run away! Still

free! He the same! I

know what happens. I

see it all. Not you,

you too clever, you

come here! People

like him sell us

out! He should die!

Freeman leaves the yard while

Sam and Thomas are talking.

THOMAS

Where is he? He not

here anymore! This

is your fault, Sam.

Always you talk. You

know everything! Now

he escape! Maybe I

shoot you instead!

Thomas points the gun at Sam.

SAM

Put that gun away,

Thomas!

THOMAS

Where is he?

SAM

How do I know.

THOMAS

You find him! I

shoot him!

SAM

I said put the gun

away. I'll get rid

of it.

THOMAS

No! It my gun now! I

find him!

SAM

You go out with that

gun, you don't come

back here!

THOMAS

I must find him!

SAM

Look, he comes, he

goes. Just like

that. How do we know

what he tells us is

true? Many people

are mixed up after

the war. He says he

finds a shop. Where?

Eh? I haven't seen

any shop around

here. The only

second- hand shop's

been closed for

years. And Ruth, who

is she? Someone he

imagines? So why

d'you worry about

him?

Sam gently takes the gun from

Thomas. Thomas goes inside

just missing Freeman.

Freeman suddenly appears in

the yard.

FREEMAN

I...I'm looking for

some second-hand

furniture.

SAM

You know we don't

sell any now. What

you see here, you

bought yourself.

FREEMAN

My home...my shop is

gone!

SAM

I cannot help you.

FREEMAN

I see my shop in my

mind.

SAM

I'm afraid you can't

stay here anymore,

Josef. It won't

work. So you must

go.

FREEMAN

I hate myself! Still

a prisoner in a way.

SAM

I'm sorry.

Freeman leaves. Sam wipes his

brow giving a sigh of relief.

Thomas comes back just

missing Freeman again.

THOMAS

I don't find him. I

talk to the woman I

see from the grocer

shop. She say she

doesn't know why I

talk about a second-

hand shop.

SAM

I don't care as long

as we are left in

peace.

EXT. SAM'S YARD. THE

FOLLOWING DAY

Sam and Thomas are working in

the yard. There is the sound

of a truck.

THOMAS

That sound like our

truck, Sam.

SAM

Go and see.

They go to the gate to see

the truck driving away

THOMAS

What we do now?

SAM

We tell the police.

MICK'S VOICE

Next time keep that

bloody truck away

from my drive!

An empty beer bottle comes

flying over the fence.

Mrs Coleman comes sweeping

through the gate

SAM

Yes, Mrs Coleman?

MRS COLEMAN

I intend bringing a

member of the

council here. Look

at it! This is what

my son has to live

next door to! I've

bought this block,

so you'll have to

clean up this filthy

mess before it's

cleared.

SAM

This mess isn't

filthy, and it's my

home and Thomas's.

MRS COLEMAN

Not for any longer.

Besides, it devalues

the whole street!

SAM

Your son's behavior

and language

devalues the street

because he's always

drinking.

MRS COLEMAN

Anyway this place is

going and so are you

and your idiot

friend.

SAM

It's you who are the

idiot! You can't see

unfairness and

injustice. You're

just blind!

MRS COLEMAN

Well, I'd rather be

blind than stupid.

Anyway, this is now

my property!

SAM

So, you get your

son to clean up your

property. After all,

he made more of a

mess of our yard

besides assaulting

Thomas.

MRS COLEMAN

That's quite another

matter, you fool.

The builders will be

starting work next

week.

Thomas comes in carrying some

lengths of metal which he

drops on the ground just

missing Mrs Coleman's foot.

MRS COLEMAN

Look what you're

doing you fool!

THOMAS

Ah! This lady again,

Sam?

SAM

Yes, and we're

standing on her

property,Thomas. She

has bought our home!

THOMAS

Where we go now,

Sam?

MRS COLEMAN

You can go anywhere

you like as long as

it's nowhere near

me. But before you

go from here.

SAM

What?

MRS COLEMAN

Make sure nothing on

this block is left

behind.

Mrs Coleman storms off.

INT. SAM'S HOUSE SAME NIGHT

THOMAS

Sam, you hear a

noise?

SAM

Yes. Probably cats.

There's a tap at the

door.

I better go and see.

Freeman! What d'you

want?

FREEMAN

Can I come in?

SAM

Of course.

Thomas comes out to the

kitchen in his pyjamas.

THOMAS

Freeman! Why you

come back?

FREEMAN

It's a long story -

I brought the truck

back, too.

(BEAT)

I nearly got

arrested! I had a

few drinks and I

fell asleep on

someone's front

lawn. They called

the police, but I

was told to get

going.

(BEAT)

So I came here.

SAM

But I don't have the

mattress anymore, I

sold it.

FREEMAN

The floor will do.

THOMAS

I no sleep anywhere

near him.

SAM

I'm too tired to

argue. You can all

sleep where you

like.

EXT. SAM'S YARD NEXT

MORNING

SAM

We have to tidy up

the yard. Remember,

it's not ours

anymore.

FREEMAN

I'll do whatever you

ask, Sam.

Mrs Coleman sweeps through

the gates, much over dressed

with a small black hat and

veil.

MRS COLEMAN

I've spoken to the

council. Since

you've never paid

any rent on this

property, they say

you should go as

soon as it's

cleared.

SAM

What are you on

about now?

MRS COLEMAN

The bulldozers will

be here before the

end of this week

now.

FREEMAN

We're entitled to

two week's notice

before we move

anywhere.

MRS COLEMAN

And who might you

be?

FREEMAN

Freeman...I don't

know the rest.

MRS COLEMAN

You're mad the whole

lot of you!

FREEMAN

I must go and get

the axe.

Sam picks up a piece of iron.

SAM

I don't care how

much you hate me,

but don't you dare

criticize the people

who haven't had it

easy like you! Now

get off my property!

Sam is still holding the iron

menacingly.

SAM

Get out, I say! Just

leave us alone!

Mrs Coleman thrusts an

envelope at him. Sam puts the

iron down and reads.

SAM

By order of the West

Ward Council, Samuel

Gross, and Thomas

Wizenberg are to

vacate the premises

at No. 31 Baxter

Street by Thursday,

April 10, 1967.

Failure to co-

operate will result

in a court order and

charges will be

laid"

SAM

What's this for?

MRS COLEMAN

You do understand

what you read

there?

SAM

Yes, but why such

short notice?

MRS COLEMAN

Because I don't want

you here any longer

than necessary.

SAM

You expect us to

take all this scrap

away in two days?

MRS COLEMAN

That's not my

problem.

Freeman appears holding the

axe.

SAM

We have to be out by

Thursday,

FREEMAN

Oh, no we don't.

Sam hands him the eviction

order.

FREEMAN

This is bloody

impossible!

MRS COLEMAN

Would you also like

a letter from the

Health Authorities?

She takes a letter from her

handbag and hands it to

Freeman who snatches it.

MRS COLEMAN(CONTD)

I really didn't want

to resort to this

but you leave me no

alternative.

FREEMAN

Christ! What's

this?..."three men

living...immoral...

no

standards...filthy..."

Why you filthy

minded old bitch!

This is absolute

shit! Even the

police will tell you

that!

Sam stands up crestfallen.

SAM

You know it's not

true...I know the

place is a

mess...But you can't

charge me with...

MRS COLEMAN

It's how it appears,

what people must

think. Sam coughs

and stumbles

forwards clutching

his chest He

collapses and lies

still.

FREEMAN

Sam!

Freeman loosens Sam's

collar

For God's sake call

an ambulance! Don't

just stand there

woman!

MRS COLEMAN

You don't have a

telephone here, do

you?

FREEMAN

Please hurry!

MRS COLEMAN

Very well, and don't

you call me 'woman,

you heap of garbage!

Mrs Coleman hurries out the

gate to the telephone booth

Freeman is sitting beside Sam

and picks up the letter.

FREEMAN

Rotten bastards!

He tries to get Sam to

breathe. Thomas comes out of

the house.

THOMAS

What's wrong with

Sam?

FREEMAN

I think he's had a

heart attack.

THOMAS

No! Sam...

THOMAS

Thomas kneels by Sam.

THOMAS

He going to be

alright?

FREEMAN

(NEARLY CRYING)

I don't know. I...

THOMAS

He not dead! No,

Freeman? I not live

without Sam...please

wake him up.

Freeman shakes his head.

FREEMAN

I can't.

THOMAS

Please, you try!

FREEMAN

I can't, Thomas.

THOMAS

Sam, Sam, please

don't leave me! Sam?

Thomas takes his skullcap

from his coat pocket, puts it

on and rests his head on

Sam's body.

FREEMAN

Thanks for

everything, Sam.

Good-bye, old

friend. I never did

thank you for taking

me in...

Sound of ambulance

approaching.

FADE OUT.

Copyright.

2003 Margaret Houghton

67 pages

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